MILWAUKEE — Gov. Tony Evers is hoping taxpayers will foot 20 percent of the bill for a brand-new outdoor pro-soccer stadium in Milwaukee.
We spoke to lawmakers and soccer fans to get a temperature on this new budget proposal.
Gov. Evers says he has confidence the Republican-controlled state legislature would find it worth investing $9.3 million into this $45 million downtown pro-soccer stadium. Speaker Robin Vos called the governor's overall budget 'devoid of reality.'
Evers believes investing in our city's soccer culture will pay off. "Taxpayer dollars to fund stadiums - why do you think that's a good idea?" asked TMJ4's Julia Fello. The governor answered, "Well, it's a good idea because we look at these things as investments on communities and the return on investments is really high. We have a $7 billion surplus."
Meanwhile, on 620 WTMJ Radio, Speaker Vos warned that is a record, one-time surplus. "I think there are some things we'll be able to find consensus on, but this idea that we are going to give massive increases in spending even for very important priorities is devoid of reality."
The governor previously said he wants to use nearly $300 million for stadium repairs at American Family Field. Soccer fans we talked to Wednesday at Uihlein Soccer Park say they are happy to hear their sport is being recognized. "I think we put a lot of money and resources into basketball and soccer deserves just as much," said Rory Cryns, UW-Milwaukee Junior.
The stadium would also be able to host recreation programs. Gerardo Mayorga is a youth development soccer program leader for north and south side schools. We asked him what he thinks about the proposal to pay for it. "I'm a huge soccer fan so I'm going to say 100 percent yes. That will help all the way from the six-year-olds to wanting to play a professional team in Wisconsin."
We should know if this money is approved once the budget is passed, which is sometime in June.
